Genomic characterization of velogenic avian orthoavulavirus 1 isolates from poultry workers
Muhammad Zubair Shabbir, Ruth H. Nissly, Abdul Ahad, Masood Rabbani, Levina Lim, Shubhada K. Chothe, Murugan Subbiah, Aswathy Sebastian, István Albert, Aziz Ul‐Rahman, Bhushan M. Jayarao, Suresh V. Kuchipudi
Abstract
Objective: To carry out the genetic characterization and evolutionary analysis of three avian orthoavulavirus 1 (AOAV-1) isolates from poultry workers with respiratory symptoms. Methods: Using Illumina MiSeq, whole-genome sequencing was carried out to assess the evolutionary dynamics of three AOAV-1 isolates. A phylogenetic and comparative analysis of all coding genes was done using bioinformatics tools. Results: Phylogenetic analysis and genetic distance estimation suggested a close relationship among human- and avian-originated velogenic strains of genotype XIII, sub-genotype XIII.2.1. Several substitutions in the significant structural and biological motifs were exclusively identified in the human-originated strains. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a velogenic AOAV-1 isolate from natural infection of the human upper respiratory tract. Our findings highlight the evolution and zoonotic potential of velogenic AOAV-1 in a disease endemic setting.